But that organization dissolved in 2014, "so no one is really doing any business expansion and retention programs," she said.

Leininger said current retention efforts are typically informal and involve Bluffton "staffers (and elected officials) engaging with businesses as they come in" to apply for government permits and licenses.

NEXT STEPS

The initial step in creating a formal retention and expansion program is reaching out to local businesses "to understand what their needs are," Leininger said.

The hope is that more communication with the business community will help identify ways to encourage employers and employees to deepen their roots in Bluffton.

That could mean anything from streamlining the town's regulatory processes to investing public money in certain types of infrastructure and amenities to ensuring students are taught the skills local employers need, BPDC officials say.

Leininger said he and his staff will soon begin drafting a survey to solicit input from the business community.

That draft is expected to be reviewed by the BPDC board in the next month or two prior to being sent to town businesses.